Contact Lenses

Evaluation and Fitting of Contact LensesDr. Granek is a Contact Lens Specialist and thoroughly enjoys helping fit patients who were told in the past they could not wear contact lenses. Contact lens technology has evolved rapidly. Improvements in vision, expanded parameters and enhancements in comfort have significantly improved patient success rates. Before anything else, you should have a comprehensive eye exam for contact lenses. During this contact lens exam, Dr. Granek will check your vision and determine a prescription for corrective lenses. This glasses prescription can be converted into a contact lens prescription as well. He will also check for any eye health problems or other issues that may cause problems with contact lens wear. Many additional measurements and evaluations are required in the contact lens fitting including corneal curvature, pupil size and tear film evaluation.

Dr. Granek has extensive training and experience in fitting all types of contact lenses, including:

Soft lenses – daily, 2-week, 1 month and extended wear

Toric lenses (for astigmatism)

Multifocal soft contact lenses

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses

Multifocal RGP lenses

Monovision contact lenses

Colored Lenses to enhance or change eye color

Keratoconus contact lenses (now including both Rigid and Soft) (these are often considered medically necessary and may be fully covered by insurance)

With so many contact lens options, a crucial portion of the consultation is a discussion with Dr. Granek about your hobbies, lifestyle and visual needs regarding contact lenses.

No matter how comprehensive the eye exam for contact lenses, Dr. Granek will give you a set of trial lenses just to confirm that they are the right choice for your eyes (comfort, vision and fit). With lenses in place, Dr. Granek will use the slit lamp to evaluate the position and movement of the lenses as you blink and look in different directions. You will also be asked how the lenses feel. Next, you will learn about how to care for your lenses and how long to wear them. You will also receive training on how to put in and take out your new lenses. While it may seem difficult at first, most patients quickly learn how to use contact lenses.

Dr. Granek may schedule a follow-up visit so he can confirm the lenses you chose are fitting your eyes properly and that your eyes are able to tolerate contact lens wear. A dye may be used to see if the lenses are causing damage to your cornea or making your eyes become too dry.

After finding the right contact lenses, Dr. Granek will finalize a contact lens prescription for you. This prescription designates the contact lens power, the curvature of the lens (called the base curve), the lens diameter, and the lens name and manufacturer. In the case of GP contact lenses, additional specifications are included in the contact lens prescription.

Even if the lenses are working fine, you should schedule a contact lens exam at least once a year to make sure your eyes are continuing to tolerate contact lens wear and show no signs of ill effects from the lenses.